The influence of parenting style on health related behavior of children : findings from the ChiBS study

Objective: Exploring associations between parenting behavior and children's health related behavior including physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet and sleep. Methods: We recruited 288 parents and their children (6-12y old). Children's weight and height were measured. Fat percentage was determined by air displacement plethysmography. Parents reported socio-demographic data, sleep information, physical activity and sedentary behavior of their child and completed the Comprehensive General Parenting Questionnaire (CGPQ) and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Children completed the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Associations between parenting behavior (CGPQ) and children's health related behavior were assessed with univariate and multiple regression analyses. Results: A small positive correlation was found between sweet food consumption frequency and "coercive control" (r = 0.139) and a small negative correlation between fruit and vegetables consumption frequency and "overprotection" (r = -0.151). Children consumed more frequently soft drinks when their parents scored lower on "structure" (r = -0.124) and higher on "overprotection" (r = 0.123); for the light soft drinks separately, a small positive correlation with "behavioral control" was found (r = 0.172). A small negative correlation was found between "emotional eating" and "structure" (r = -0.172) as well as "behavioral control" (r = -0.166). "Coercive control" was negatively correlated with the child's sleep duration (r = -0.171). After correction for confounding factors, the following significant associations were found: (1) a small negative association between "structure" and soft drinks consumption (beta = -0.17 for all soft drinks and -0.22 for light soft drinks), (2) a small positive association between "behavioral control" and light soft drinks (beta = 0.34), (3) a small positive association of "nurturance" and "coercive control" with sedentary behavior (beta = 0.16 for both parent constructs) and (4) a small negative association between the parenting construct "coercive control" and sleep duration (beta = -0.23). Conclusion: The significant but small associations between parenting constructs and the investigated variables suggest that different aspects of parenting style play an important role in the genesis of the health related behavior of children. Overall, our findings suggest that health professionals should encourage parents to apply the more positive parenting constructs i.e., more "structure" and "behavioral control", and less "coercive control". They could, for instance, supervise and manage their child's activities and help their child to achieve certain goals

Learning objectives of Belgian general practitioner trainees regarding their hospital training : a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: In Europe, hospital training is integrated in the postgraduate curriculum of General Practitioners (GPs) according to the European Directives. However, little is known about the specific learning objectives of GP trainees during this training. OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study investigated GP trainees’ expected learning objectives for their hospital training and the factors influencing the learning process. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in three focus groups consisting of first-year GP trainees before their hospital training. Data were coded thematically and analysed in NVivo. RESULTS: A total of 22 Belgian GP trainees (55% females, average age of 26.2 years) were interviewed. Three major themes emerged: learning objectives, factors influencing learning and organisational aspects. GP trainees mainly wanted to improve their knowledge of common conditions by conducting consultations and follow certain patients’ hospitalisation trajectory. Emergency medicine or internal medicine was the preferred specialty. Other GP trainees wanted to learn more about some specific conditions. Conversely, an overloaded work schedule was dreaded to hinder effective learning. Regular meetings and supervision from their hospital trainer were deemed crucial to strengthen GP trainees’ learning trajectory. CONCLUSION: GP trainees wanted to learn more about both common conditions and some specific conditions. Their previous year in a GP setting strengthened their confidence and facilitated purposeful learning. Relieving GP trainees from administrative tasks when working as supplementary doctors could strike a better balance between the continuity of the clinical department and their personal learning objectives